In general, all doctoral candidates at Institute of Aerospace Medicine can actively participate in the Research School regardless of the type of funding they obtained (basic or third-party). SpaceLife scholarship recipients are required to participate. The graduate program is also open for doctoral candidates from the member and partner universities, provided their fields of specialization fits one or more fields of research addressed in SpaceLife.

Prospective students can choose one out of 19 challenging research projects offered by our faculty members. Although students specialize in a particular research topic (Radiobiology, Gravitational Biology, Astrobiology, Space Physiology), the interdisciplinary context of the program facilitates interactions with other research groups and fosters the ability of cross-frontier thinking. Laboratory work is supplemented by lectures, a students’ workshop, journal clubs, elective courses, soft skills training, exchanges with partner universities or partner organizations, and participation in national or international conferences.

The Research School will support candidates in the development of a strong personal career profile and establish a tight network of young researchers. Integration in internationally renowned research groups will give you a broad experience in research to develop and improve your own skills.

We offer

a top-level research infrastructure and a supportive environment for doctoral candidates

a PhD stipend paid according to the rules of the DFG (German Research Foundation)

a clearly focused education and research plan through regularly meetings of the thesis advisory committee

efficient supervision by a team of two supervisors and a mentor

a structured interdisciplinary training program

intensive courses in transferable skills ("soft skills")

stays at labs at the partner institutions or abroad

Cologne - a lively city with dynamic business activities, successful scientific centers of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene

We expect

Master’s or other degree with excellent grades comparable to a German University Diploma or Master in biology, human biology, biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, biotechnology, microbiology, physics, chemistry, veterinary medicine, biomechanical engineering, and nutrition or sports sciences. Candidates about to earn their degree are welcome to apply.

linguistic proficiency in English: Fluent in spoken and written English

Please download the Application form and the Referee’s Report form and follow the instructions given in these forms.

After filling in the forms, please send by e-mail to Dr. Christine Hellweg:

the Application Form (as pdf file with the following file name: "Family name"_"First name"_SpaceLife_Application.pdf) and

the CV and Certificates (in one pdf file with the following file name: "Family name"_"First name"_CV_certificates.pdf)

Only applications arriving in this form can be processed.

If there is no possibility to sign the e-mailed application, please, send us in addition a FAX of the last page of the application form (p. 9) bearing your signature. Without signature the application is not valid.

Please make sure that your referees use the report form and do not send a letter of recommendation of their own style. The referee's reports should carry file names composed as described here: "Family name"_"First name"_Referees_Report_"Number".pdf

For application it is imperative:

We do not accept any hardcopies/paper copies sent by ordinary post or fax (excluding the copy of the signed main application form).

Regardless of the outcome of your application we are unable to return any documents you send to us.

When will you be hearing from us?

A decision on your application will be made within six weeks after the deadline by which you have to submit your completed application. During the admission process the key faculty members in the academic field for which you are applying may contact you for a telephone interview.

Financial assistance:

During the doctoral studies, SpaceLife can provide up to 13 candidates with a stipend that is limited to maximum 3 years, enabling the students to exclusively work on their research project. A stipend requires at the beginning of the doctoral thesis that the graduation must not date back longer than 3 years. Servitors must not have completed their 30th year of age.

The stipend is paid without any taxes and amounts to 1.277,- € (basic amount) plus 103,- € (material expenses grant).

Additional funding for children till their 18th birthday can also be granted:

- one child
- each additional child

400 €
100 €

Income tax:

The stipend is not charged with income taxes.

Social insurance:

With your stipend you are not included in the social insurance system in Germany ("Sozialversicherungspflicht") because you are not an employee. You have to contract your mandatory health insurance, optional pension insurance and occupational disablement insurance and pay them by the supplementary allowances listed above.

SpaceLife offers the program without tuition fees. However, doctoral candidates might have to be enrolled at one of the member universities. Here, each semester you might have to pay an enrollment fee. Please check the websites of the member and partner universities for more information.

Please be aware that living expenses in Germany might be higher than in other countries. It has been estimated that students will require approx. 880,- € per month to cover the costs of living and study.

Estimated costs include:

Accommodation: 380,- € per month on average (deposit: one to two month rent, returned on expiry of the duration of rent if there is no cause for complain)